As we already had plans, I couldn’t make it directly under the path of the eclipse yesterday but did manage to come close. We were attending the Grand Junction Air Show and while we waited for the show to begin, I was snapping pics of the eclipse. From there, the sun was about 90% eclipsed and when at its maximum, it was noticeable, as if a cloud had moved in front of the sun and temps seemed to cool slightly. Certainly not as impressive of an experience as during the Great American Eclipse of 2017 but still fun to see.
Six years ago today: The Great American Eclipse
Oh, what an amazing experience this was, one that took my breath away. When my brother and I started planning an RV trip to go to Wyoming to see the solar eclipse, I figured it would be pretty cool. I sorely underestimated the experience.
It is hard to explain what it was like but it was beyond my wildest dreams. At its maximum, the sky turned as dark as if it was dusk, temperatures plunged and it became incredibly silent. Just amazing. This image, one which I have not shared before, shows the eclipse as totality ended and the sun began to emerge from behind the moon – part of what is called the ‘diamond ring’ phase of the eclipse.
There will be another total solar eclipse visible in the United States on April 8, 2024. That one would require me to travel a long ways and that time of year there would be a greater risk of the weather preventing viewing but I have to admit to being tempted to try to see it.
Totality! Two years ago today, the Great American Eclipse
I figured it would be “pretty cool”. I came away in awe and amazement and was ecstatic I took the time to go see it.
Best of all, for my first time capturing pics of a solar eclipse, I think I did pretty well with my images. It helped that I researched and read dozens and dozens of articles about how to do it so had a pretty good plan in place.
This is one taken at the height of the eclipse with the corona is clearly visible. Probably one of my most popular pics was a collage I put together of all the phases of the eclipse.
Video: All phases of the Great American Solar Eclipse
Going back again to this event on the one year anniversary of the solar eclipse. This was a video I put together of my images of each stage. It is fascinating to me to watch it as it progresses, reaches totality and then comes to an end.
One year ago today: The Great American Eclipse
I still get goosebumps when I think back to this extraordinary celestial event.
My brother and I had the date marked on our calendars for years and when the time came, our planning could not have panned out better. I spent weeks leading up to the event researching how to photograph a solar eclipse and practiced every chance I got. We chose a spot in southeastern Wyoming near the town of Lingle, away from major population centers and a spot that would likely have clear skies.
When the time came, well, it was just awesome. Period. For those that were able to get under the path of totality, it was something you will remember for the rest of your life.
I was so impressed by it, I already have the date of April 8, 2024 circled on my calendar for when the next total solar eclipse happens in North America and I will be doing my best to be there.
This image is a collage of the various stages of the event from the start when the first sliver of the moon started to block the sun to the diamond ring just before totality, totality, and then the finishing stages.
Images taken with my CanonUSA 7D Mark II and SIGMA 150-600 Sports.
Video slideshow: Photo event of the year – the Great American Eclipse
The last of my annual recap slideshows with what I consider to be my photo event of the year.
My brother and I made plans to be in the path of totality three years ago. In the month or so leading up to it, I read and practiced as much as I could about how best to photograph this once-in-a-lifetime event.
With totality only last two minutes or so, I couldn’t afford to screw up! 😉 Thankfully, all that preparation paid off and I captured some great pics (IMHO) of this celestial event from start to finish.
I don’t know what the new year will hold for photographic opportunities but I don’t expect it will be able to top this. Happy New Year, everyone!
Moon creates the ultimate starburst effect
I’ve been working on my end of the year photo slideshows and in doing so have found some pretty cool pics I have never shared. This is one of them, dating back to August 21 during the total solar eclipse.
I had two cameras going at the time, the primary one was zoomed in on the big event and you probably have seen those images (if not, see here). The other camera I handheld and just grabbed some random shots during the celestial event.
This was taken just as totality was ending and the sun was emerging from behind the moon. You get a nice look at the corona and a very cool starburst effect.
If you want to memorialize this extraordinary event, I have prints available of my eclipse pictures in a wide variety of sizes and formats. Just let me know what you are looking for.
Solar eclipse shows the diamond ring and prominences
When I look back on my photo year, there can be no doubt that the solar eclipse was the single biggest event. It is hard to describe just how extraordinary it was to experience and capture it.
This is one of my favorite stages of the event, just as totality was coming to an end. You see the ‘diamond ring effect’ of the sun beginning to emerge from behind the moon.
Also notable are the appearance of prominences – the pink / red ‘flames’ you see in the image shooting out. These are somewhat like solar flares except they don’t actually leave the surface of the sun. Made of plasma and capable of extending hundreds of thousands of miles from the surface, they are normally only visible from Earth during an eclipse so seeing them is a big treat.
Whoohoo! Got my official souvenir ball cap for Eclipse 2017
Such an amazing experience that I will never forget! If anyone is interested in pics of the event, let me know – I think I got some great ones!
Photo slideshow captures the Great American Eclipse
I don’t know how many “amazing” adjectives I can use to describe the solar eclipse last week and my being under the path of totality. More than a week later I still can’t believe it. The problem is that I don’t know how best to depict the photos I took of the event. The collage I shared last week did a good job I think and now I took some of the images and put them into a video slideshow. What do you think?